Welcome
Welcome to Bluebonnet Country Genealogy!
In 1901, the Bluebonnet, was selected as the state flower of Texas. Actually there are five state flowers, including at least four other species of bluebonnet: L. havardii, L. concinnus, L. perennis, and L. plattensis. In March, 1971, the legislation was amended to include L. texensis and “any other variety of bluebonnet not heretofore recorded”.
First Lady Ladybird Johnson pushed for the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, which sought to beautify the nation’s highway system by limiting advertising and by planting roadside areas. All across Texas, wildflowers were planted along major thoroughfares, and that practice continues today.
Bluebonnets bloom in March and April, turning the vastness of Texas bright with color. Some years the show is less intense, due to drought or the encroachment of man, but they always survive and return for another year.
Texas Bluebonnets are survivors.
Perhaps the first glimpse of Texas that my ancestors saw upon their arrival here were Bluebonnets. As they arrived from Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, the wildflowers welcomed them. As they began to build their homes and work the land, the Bluebonnets quietly watched. And when times were bad, when the crops failed and the young ones died of disease, still the Bluebonnets were there. And when good times returned, so the Bluebonnets. As the years went by and the elderly departed, sorrow was tempered by the beauty of the Bluebonnets thriving nearby.
Like the Texas Bluebonnet, my ancestors were survivors.
Whenever I see Bluebonnets and other wildflowers as I go about my life, I am reminded of those who came before me. Bluebonnet Country Genealogy is dedicated to my ancestors…and to the Lupinus texensis.
Ft. Worth NAS, TX
4 Responses
Linda Hillin - November 2, 2009
I’m enjoying watching your developing blog. I became so fascinated I decided to set one up for my maternal family. I suppose I was attracted to your blog because it was a Texas blog.
I live in Oregon now but was in Ft. Worth for a visit the last of September, for a cemetery event. You can read about it on my blog.
I had no idea in 1980 how lucky I was to have the genealogy information I needed within driving distance. I did all the dusty courthouse basements then and tromped through many a rural cemetery.
I took a 30 year break and now I’m back at it. Visiting Texas, and my family cemetery, got me fired up again. I love using the computer for research but wouldn’t take anything for the stories that happened in hands on research.
Tarrant, Erath, Hood, Bell, Falls, Milam and Burleson are the counties I search the most.
Best wishes,
Linda Hillin
Ruth - November 2, 2009
Hi Linda!
This is so exciting! Another Texas blog and from my part of Texas. Welcome!
My grandfather lived in Stephenville in Erath County before he died in 1974 and my great-grandmother’s family started their lives in Texas in Milam County in the 1880’s. Some of my Dad’s family lived in Oregon, he used to visit his uncle in the Portland area summers when he was a teenager. Small world!
I checked out your blog and it looks great! I think you’ll like WordPress. It seems to be so much more versatile than Blogger.
So glad to meet you! I have added your RSS feed to my Google Reader, so good luck with your blog.
If there’s any research you need around here, just ask. I especially love to trek around old country cemeteries, so if you need any pix, let me know.
Please visit again!
Ruth Stephens
Mary McBurnett - December 20, 2009
Waggoneer Daniel McBurnett was my Revolutionary War Patriot great grandfather. He was in many battles, including the one at Kettle Creek. His wife was Esther Wadsworth. It’s always interesting to come across McBurnett family history.
Thanks for posting it on the web!
Mary McBurnett-Bynum
Austin, Texas Native Daughter and Proud Daughter of the Republic of Texas
Mary McBurnett - December 20, 2009
p.s. Forgot to mention that John Nicholas and Sophia Matilda Brown were my great-grandparents. I believe John and Wardlow married Brown sisters before coming to Milam County, Texas.
Leave a Reply